M. Haydn: Mass & Vespers for the Feast of Holy Innocents

Featuring

James Litton
Adrian Smith
Alex Cook
Trevor Wallace
Paul John Rudoi
Matthew Jones

Nick Davis
Ryan Kanarek
The American Boychoir
Members of the New York Collegium
Anonymous (Gregorian Chant)
Michael Haydn
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Composer Biography

Michael Haydn achieved considerable fame during his lifetime as a composer of liturgical music, with over two-thirds of his nearly 800 surviving compositions being for the Church.

Historical Context

The Feast of the Holy Innocents (December 28) in the Christian liturgical calendar celebrated childhood and led to the custom of the 'boy bishop' throughout Europe.

Composer Biography

Johann Michael Haydn, like his older brother Franz Josef Haydn, received his early musical training as a chorister at St Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna.

Compositional Technique

Michael Haydn's liturgical compositions for Salzburg choristers were scored for three-part treble voices (two sopranos and alto) and orchestra, a rare practice until the 20th century.

Composition History

The Missa St Leopoldi is believed to be Michael Haydn's last mass, composed in December 1805 for the Holy Innocents Day celebration, just months before his death.

Recording & Production

The Michael Haydn and Mozart pieces and the plainsong on this recording are performed at A=430, a historical pitch standard.

Interpretation

This recording is a partial reconstruction of a Mass and Vespers for Holy Innocents Day as it may have been sung in Salzburg during the early nineteenth century.